How Many Calories Are in a Movie Theater Bag of Popcorn?

Popcorn is a popular snack that you can get at movie theaters everywhere. But how many calories are in that bag of popcorn?

At first glance, it might seem like popcorn is a low-calorie snack. After all, it’s a whole grain food that is low in fat and cholesterol. But the reality is, a large bag of popcorn can contain up to 900 calories!

The reason why popcorn can be so high in calories is because it’s usually prepared with butter or oil and then topped with salt. Butter adds roughly 100 calories per tablespoon, while oil adds approximately 120 calories per tablespoon.

The amount of butter or oil used varies from theater to theater, but it typically ranges from two to four tablespoons. So if you’re eating an entire large bag of popcorn, you could be consuming upwards of 600-900 extra calories from the butter or oil alone.

In addition to the butter or oil, movie theaters often add extra salt which adds even more calories. Salt contains no calories but it does add flavor and makes the popcorn more enjoyable to eat. Depending on how much salt is added, an entire large bag of movie theater popcorn can contain anywhere from 860-1020 total calories!

If you’re trying to watch your calorie intake or just want to make healthier snack choices while at the movies, there are some alternatives you can try instead. Air-popped popcorn contains only 31 calories per cup and is a much healthier option than movie theater popcorn. You can also opt for a small bag of candy or nuts which typically contain less than 300 total calories each.

Conclusion:

A large bag of movie theater popcorn can contain up to 900 calories due to the added butter or oil and salt used in its preparation. If you’re trying to watch your calorie intake while at the movies, there are healthier options available such as air-popped popcorn and small bags of candy or nuts which have fewer than 300 total calories each.